Providenciales’ pioneering Gansevoort Penthouse throws down the gauntlet on design ingenuity.

Words by Juliet Austin.

If three is a charm, the new, super-chic, Gansevoort, Turks + Caicos, a Wymara branded boutique resort, is out to cast its spell. Combining the hip signature style and loyal clientele of the Gansevoort Hotel Group, the buzz of the Bagatelle Restaurant name, and the latest in holistic wellness offered by internationally acclaimed Exhale Spa, the most recent property to set the beach on fire promises to become a defining light in a new chapter of luxury accommodations on the forty-island archipelago that is Turks and Caicos. Its unrivalled 7,000 square foot infinity pool, complete with exotic hardwood lounging islands, acts as the central focus and ‘energy centre’ for the resort, generating an atmosphere that is both dynamic and intoxicating from the get go. Add to the mix Gansevoort’s state-of-the-art, three bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom oceanfront penthouse, and there is little doubt: this is a match made in heaven.

In a bold and long overdue departure from the pervasive ‘cookie cutter’ architecture found so often throughout the Caribbean, Gansevoort’s artfully sophisticated penthouse throws down the gauntlet on design ingenuity to put itself resolutely at the head of the game as a market trendsetter. Offering in excess of 3,700 square feet of floor space and a staggering hundred linear feet of ocean frontage, this luxury residence pioneers a new brand of modern styling that combines the essence of the Caribbean with the ultimate in contemporary cool; coined ‘Turks and Caicos Modern’ (or TiMo, for short). Set along the tranquil westerly curve of Grace Bay beach the penthouse is a shrine to the hypnotic allure of the turquoise tides that stretch out over a seemingly endless horizon.

The modern design allows for an inventive play on angles in the layout in order to maximise views of the sweeping ocean vistas. “We introduced a twenty degree offset angle to the bathroom portions of the suites which… produced an interesting dynamic in the spaces and flow from one to the other,” explains Simon Wood, whose local architectural firm, Simon Wood Associates, is responsible for the fresh design which still retains ‘a unique sense of place’. Twelve foot-high ceilings, specially commissioned Italian cabinetry and intense attention to detail and quality give this turnkey property a tangible integrity. Both guest bedrooms feature well appointed en suite bathrooms with custom, free-standing tubs and Kohler WaterTile rain showers encased in gleaming glass enclosures where water cascades from the ceiling like manna from heaven. Sand-coloured Italian porcelain tiling runs throughout, coolly echoed in mosaic motifs in the bathrooms, acting as an anchor for the entire scheme. Fine Frette linens seem to ‘melt like butter’ upon touch (all the more reason to celebrate the remote control shades) and walls are adorned with mounted ocean scenes, courtesy of local photographer Steve Passmore – framed views expertly blurring the distinction between outside and in. However, it is the magnificent stretch of uninterrupted view that is capitalised on to the maximum when the double doors connecting the master suite to the living space are opened, that really steals the show.

Perhaps the key to unlocking the secret of the Gansevoort penthouse’s unique appeal is to understand the pivotal notion of seamlessness that suffuses all interior and exterior spaces. Inspired by the iconic shadows on white stucco of Mykonos, Teri D’Amico of Miami-based interior design group DADA, presents the quiet drama of a neutral colour palette, using crisp white walls juxtaposed against striking dark Coast to Coast furniture. Combine this with traditional raffia and the understated elegance of delicate cream on chocolate with vibrant green and aqua accents and the effect is simple and stunning. Step into the haven of the stylish open-plan living area where an oversized creamy sectional sofa invites you to sink into a mountain of sumptuous cushioned comfort. Or satiate your need for a nibble with the gourmet kitchen equipped with world-class appliances by Gaggenau and Bosch. Nearby the dining table beckons one and all to join the camaraderie of a good meal shared with friends as you gaze out from under the cathedral ceiling at the dazzling ocean panorama. “We wanted to create a seamless and natural flow of materials to allow owners to move freely within any space without feeling the confines of thresholds or barriers,” D’Amico states. The real coup d’état, which underscores her point, is the expansive wrap around terrace, accessed via floor to ceiling, wall-to-wall glass doors and is adorned with hardwood pergolas, cleverly designed to ease the transition from inside to out. Playful additions like the private terrace plunge pool guarantee unparalleled outdoor living, while the glass-panelled balcony balustrades deliver unimpeded bursts of eye-piercing aqua from any vantage point.

If there is a paradise on earth, this – surely – must be it. Sleek and undeniably cosmopolitan, the Gansevoort penthouse offers a fresh mode of luxury without formality: an opulent escape that sets a new standard for future developers across the Caribbean. As Rob Ayer, Managing Director of Apollo Developments Ltd., the company credited with bringing Gansevoort, Turks + Caicos into being says, “I believe Provo is a great investment – there is its proximity to mainland USA with easy flight access, US currency, British Common law, wonderful beaches and warm water year around.” All this and, of course, the long-recognised benefits derived from the strong market presence of branded real estate. And so, for Gansevoort, Turks + Caicos, the new golden child of luxury developments with accolades such as membership to the exclusive collection of Preferred Hotels and Resorts, there is not a cloud on the horizon. As a Condé Nast Johansens recommended property, all the stars are perfectly aligned for it to serve up its own unique brand of five-star hospitality to those seeking the ultimate in avant-garde lifestyles.

The Gansevoort Penthouse is currently being offered at US$3.9 million. For more information please contact toll free 1 (877) 774.3253 or direct at (649) 941.7555 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.gansevoorttc.com.